Alayne McGregor
In the wake of the pandemic and the convoy occupation, Ottawa Centre MP Yasir Naqvi has created a task force to look for ways to rejuvenate and revitalize downtown Ottawa.
The task force, announced July 29, includes representatives from developers, community groups, BIAs, the Board of Trade, and Ottawa Tourism, plus city politicians as observers.
Neil Malhotra of Claridge Homes and Graeme Hussey of not-for-profit housing developer Cahdco are co-chairs.
The task force will propose ideas to attract more people back to the commercial area north of Gloucester Street, to support local businesses and transit. Most federal offices in that area have been closed for the last two years, with workers at home instead. Statistics Canada says 46 percent of Ottawa’s workforce is still working at home.
With the continuation of hybrid working arrangements and the need for more affordable housing in the area, Naqvi said, the task force needed to “reimagine” downtown into an “exciting and safe place.”
The task force will also look at ways to attract tourists and counteract the negative effects of the convoy occupation, he said. “It has become branding issue for the city. A lot of tourists are thinking twice about coming to Ottawa because they are concerned that there may be protests that are not safe for them.”
Centretown Community Association President Mary Huang said she would be advocating on the task force for more affordable housing and for diversifying the types of businesses downtown.
“You have to have a healthy, functioning downtown,” said Somerset Ward Councillor Catherine McKenney. “We know that people are not all coming back, so how do we ensure that we have a downtown where people can work, shop, and live?”
Hussey said they would also look at ways of repurposing empty office space for affordable and social housing. McKenney said they had seen conversions that worked, but they were currently “labours of love” and more tools were needed.
The task force will meet into the fall, and will present recommendations to the city post-election. It will also provide input into the federal government’s current strategic review of real property leading up to its next budget, Naqvi said.
“I don’t want any of us to wait around to see what the world looks like six months from now. I think we need to take charge now.”
Task force members:
- Graeme Hussey, President of Cahdco (Co-Chair)
- Neil Malhotra, Vice-President, Claridge Homes (Co-Chair)
- A representative from the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition
- Mary Huang, President, Centretown Community Association
- Sueling Ching, President and CEO, Ottawa Board of Trade
- Christine Leadman, Executive Director, Bank Street BIA
- Kevin McHale, Executive Director, Sparks Street BIA
- Catherine Callary, Vice-President of Destination Development, Ottawa Tourism
- John Thomas, Founder, Azure Urban Developments
- Christophe Rivet, Director – Strategies, EVOQ Strategies
- Catherine McKenney, Councillor, Somerset Ward (Observer)
- Mathieu Fleury, Councillor, Rideau-Vanier Ward (Observer)
- A representative from the City of Ottawa Mayor’s Office (Observer)